Cotton-chopper.



J. T. STEPLETON.

COTTON HOPPER. APPLIGATION FILED xmms, 1909.

947,690., rammed Jan, 25,1910.

JAMES T. STEPLETON, OF FRANKLIN, TEXAS.

COTTN-CI-IOPPER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES T. STEPLETON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Franklin, in the county of Robertson and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cotton-Chop pers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a cotton chopper, and has for its object the provision of means whereby the chopper may be operated from either Wheel.

Vith these and other objects in view, my invention consists of novel details of construction and combinations of parts which will be clearly understood from the following specification and drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan View; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view; Fig. 3 is a detail of the chopper operating mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates an axle upon which is received the wheels 2, 2, which are provided with the beveled gears 3, 3. A standard 4 is mounted on the axle as shown and secured to the standard is the draft tongue 5. Secured to the tongue is the doubletree 6, which in turn has secured thereto the swingletrees 7. Journaled in the standard is a shaft 8, which has secured on one end the chopper knives 9, and the opposite end provided with a beveled gear 10. The standard is provided on either side of the shaft 8 with openings 11, which are adapted to receive a shaft 12 provided with a beveled gear 13.

This gear 13 is adapted to engage either of the gears 3, 3 on the wheels 2, 2 and also the gear 1() secured to the shaft 8 whereby the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led June 3, 1909.

Patented Jan. 25, 1910.

serial No. 499,865.

chopper knives 9 are revolved. If desired f a support 14 may be suspended from the tongue adapted to receive the shaft 8.

When motion is transmitted to the wheels it is imparted to the shaft 8 through means of the gears 3, 1() and 13, and when it is desired to change the direction of the rotation of the shaft 8 and the knives 9, it is only necessary to remove the shaft 12 from the opening on one side of the standard to the opening on the opposite side.

It is evident that more or less slight changes might be resorted to in the form and arrangement of the several parts described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction herein set forth, but:

I-Iaving fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

A cotton chopper comprising an axle, wheels journaled on the axle, gears carried `by the wheels, a standard, a knife carrying shaft rotatably mounted in the standard, a gear carried by said shaft, a second shaft carrying a gear adapted to engage the gear on either wheel, and the rst mentioned shaft, and means for mounting the second shaft on either side of the first shaft whereby the same may be rotated in either direction.

In testimony whereof I aiiX my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES T. STEPLETON.

Vitnesses:

C. W. KINARD, RHEA GILLAND. 

